Senate kills 'Right-to-Work' bill in victory for unions

By GARRY RAYNOState House BureauJanuary 30. 2014 12:19PMCONCORD – Right-to-work legislation died in the Senate Wednesday before it could face certain death in the Democratically-controlled House.

The Senate voted 13-11 to kill the bill that would have prohibited collective bargaining agreements that require a worker to join and contribute to the labor union that negotiated the contract.

Similar legislation has yet to be approved by state lawmakers despite numerous attempts over the years.

Right-to-work was approved by both the House and Senate during the 2011 session when Republicans held large majorities in both bodies, but it was vetoed by then Gov. John Lynch and the House failed to sustain the veto.

Since that time, the bill has been introduced each session, but has failed to win approval.